Bexar County Probate Courts

Bexar County Probate Courts

Bexar County is one of the Texas counties with dedicated statutory probate courts, and it has three of them, Probate Court No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3. All three sit in the Bexar County Courthouse at 100 Dolorosa in downtown San Antonio. Because Bexar has statutory probate courts, the constitutional county court does not hear probate; every decedent's estate, guardianship, and related trust matter goes to one of these three courts.

Visit the Bexar County Probate Courts website for official court information, or contact the County Clerk's probate office at 210-335-2241 to ask about a filing.

All three courts handle the full range of probate matters: wills, heirships, administrations, guardianships, trusts, and related civil litigation. Probate Court No. 1 also carries Bexar County's court-ordered mental health docket. Court staff and coordinators keep each court's own docket and set its own remote-hearing procedures, so the practical experience differs a little from court to court.

How Bexar County Probate Judges Are Selected

All three statutory probate judges are elected in countywide elections and serve four-year terms. To sit as a statutory probate judge in Texas, a candidate must be at least 25 years old, have lived in the county for at least two years, and have at least four years of experience as a practicing lawyer or judge.

Each court also relies on staff attorneys and a court coordinator, and this matters more than most people expect. The coordinator owns the docket and scheduling, and the staff attorneys review filings before a hearing is set, so knowing who to contact in your court can save weeks.

Note: judge names and court details on this page reflect the Bexar County Probate Courts website as of September 2026. Assignments can change, so confirm current information at the Bexar County Probate Courts website before you rely on it.

Overview of Texas Probate Law

Probate is the legal process of settling a deceased person's estate: validating their will (if one exists), identifying and valuing assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining property to the rightful heirs or beneficiaries.

Texas probate law is governed by the Texas Estates Code, which provides several pathways through probate depending on the estate's size, complexity, and whether the person left a valid will. Compared with many states, Texas offers relatively streamlined options, particularly independent administration, which lets an executor manage the estate with minimal court oversight.

In Bexar County, those cases run through the three statutory probate courts. Understanding which type of probate applies to your situation is the first step toward an efficient resolution.

Types of Probate in Texas

Texas offers multiple probate pathways. The right one depends on whether there is a will, the size of the estate, and how much complexity is involved.

Getting to the Courthouse

Most uncontested probate hearings can be handled by Zoom, in a hybrid format, or by your attorney on your behalf, so many families never need to appear in person. When an in-person appearance is required, here is where to go.

Directions and Parking

The historic Bexar County Courthouse sits on Main Plaza in the heart of downtown San Antonio, near the San Antonio River and the Cathedral of San Fernando. Downtown is where I-35, I-10, and I-37 converge, so from any direction you take the interstate to the downtown exits and follow signs toward the courthouse and Main Plaza.

Tip: Most uncontested probate hearings are brief. Plan to arrive 15 to 20 minutes early to clear security and find the courtroom. Kyle Robbins will provide specific courtroom information and instructions before your hearing.

Filing Requirements & Procedures

Probate matters in Bexar County are filed with the Bexar County Clerk's Probate Division, in the courthouse at 100 Dolorosa. The Clerk's probate office can be reached at 210-335-2241. The general process involves:

1. Prepare the application. The specific application depends on the type of probate (for example, an Application to Probate Will as a Muniment of Title, an Application for Independent Administration, or an Application to Determine Heirship).
2. Attach required documents. The original will (if applicable), a certified death certificate, and any supporting affidavits.
3. Pay the filing fee. The Bexar County Clerk sets the filing fee; call the Clerk's office at 210-335-2216 for the current fee schedule.
4. Wait through the posting period. Texas law requires an approximately two-week waiting period after filing, during which the County Clerk posts notice at the courthouse, before a hearing on the application.
5. Attend the hearing. Brief testimony before the assigned probate judge, or a Zoom or hybrid appearance where the court allows it.
6. Receive court orders. Letters Testamentary (with a will) or Letters of Administration (without a will) grant legal authority to act for the estate.

E-Filing and the Original Will

Attorneys file electronically through eFileTexas, and your attorney handles that process entirely. There is one important exception that catches people out.

Original wills cannot be e-filed. A copy of the will is attached to the electronic application, and the original will must then be delivered to the County Clerk so the court can admit it. A probate application can stall if the original never arrives, so it is worth knowing where the original is before anything is filed. If the original cannot be located at all, that is a different and more difficult proceeding, and it is worth a conversation early.

Certified Copies

Once your case is open, you will need certified copies of your Letters to move assets, because banks and title companies require them before allowing transactions. The Bexar County Clerk charges statutory fees for copies and certification; order more certified Letters than you think you need, since institutions rarely return them. Call the Clerk's office at 210-335-2241 for current copy fees.

Bexar County Probate Forms and Court Resources

Each Bexar probate court publishes its own checklists and guides that set out exactly what to file before a hearing can be set. The documents families and attorneys reach for most are collected below, grouped by court. Court No. 3 publishes the deepest set of plain-language guides.

Probate Court No. 1 (Judge Kazen)

Probate Court No. 2 (Judge Vasquez)

Probate Court No. 3 (Judge Scharf-Zeldes)

For the official court pages, the current filing-fee schedule, and electronic filing, see Bexar County Probate Courts, the Bexar County Clerk, and eFileTexas.

These documents are published by the Bexar County Probate Courts and are provided here for convenience. Courts revise their forms, so confirm the current version on the county's official website before you rely on one.

Remote Hearings & Zoom Appearances

Remote hearings are available in Bexar County, but the process is set court by court, so it is worth knowing which court has your case.

Probate Court No. 2 has the county's most developed uncontested process. Attorneys use the court's online scheduling portal to set uncontested matters such as probate of wills, heirships, dependent administration, and guardianships, and those hearings can be held by Zoom, in a hybrid format, or in person. Contested matters and temporary applications are set through the court coordinator and heard in person.

Probate Court No. 3, the newest court, allows all participants to appear electronically for a proceeding where appropriate, and the public may observe those proceedings in the courtroom. Probate Court No. 1 arranges remote or hybrid hearings through its court coordinator on request; you or your attorney contact the court in advance to confirm how the hearing will be held.

Either way, Kyle Robbins handles the electronic filings and coordinates the appearance, so families across San Antonio, across Texas, or out of state can move a Bexar County probate forward without fighting traffic or airports. Contested matters such as will contests and complex evidentiary hearings are generally held in person.

Timeline Expectations

How long probate takes in Bexar County depends mostly on the type of proceeding and whether the case is contested:

These timelines assume uncontested proceedings. Any dispute, missing document, or complication can extend the process. Working with an experienced Bexar County probate attorney helps avoid the common delays.

Cost Overview

Probate costs in Bexar County include attorney fees, court filing fees, and potential additional expenses:

• Court filing fee: set by the Bexar County Clerk; call 210-335-2216 for the current schedule
• Attorney fees: a flat fee for most uncontested proceedings, starting at the prices shown above. Contested matters are billed hourly.
• Citation by publication or posting: charged separately where a proceeding requires it
• Appraisals: may be needed for real property, business interests, or valuable personal property
• Attorney ad litem: a court-appointed attorney for unknown heirs in heirship cases, paid by the estate
• Certified copies: statutory copy and certification fees charged by the County Clerk

Kyle Robbins provides a transparent fee quote before you commit, so there are no surprises. Request a free consultation to get a specific estimate for your situation.

All attorney fees shown are flat-fee starting prices and depend on the facts of your case. Your exact quote is confirmed in a free consultation before any work begins. Court costs are separate. Pricing is current as of 2026 and subject to change.